Blog - Page 11 of 23 - KZN: A Photographic and Historical Record

03 Jan Durban to PMB – Natal old rail line

Posted at 11:44h in Uncategorized

The Natal old main Rail line is of great interest to the Railway enthusiasts. I have just published images of the stations and support infrastructure in the GALLERY , under Bridges, Dams, Roads and Rail - Old Natal Rail Line. Many of these structures are...

27 Dec Princes Grant Golf Estate

Posted at 11:59h in Uncategorized

There are some real hidden gems in KZN and Princes Grant Golf Course is no exception, with its verdant greens and fairways, and beautifully designed club house and facilities.The course is built on a portion of the Farm Hyde Park granted to George Prince in...

15 Dec Lidgetton – Lastingham Country Lodge

Posted at 15:16h in Uncategorized

Lastingham Country Lodge, presently run by Lynne Holding and Mike McNab, as a B&B, was built in 1911 by the Lidgett's after whom Lidgetton is named. The Lodge is on 100 acres of the original farm of 5169 acres granted to John Lidgett in 1859....

14 Dec Karkloof – Colborne Farm

Posted at 14:32h in Uncategorized

Timber in the early days of Natal, was a fairly abundant resource in the south facing slopes of the hills of the Natal Midlands. It is thus not surprising that wood features so strongly for ceilings, floors, doors, and windows. As usual verandas were widely...

06 Dec Himeville – Peter McKenzie

Posted at 19:02h in Uncategorized

This post commemorates Peter McKenzie who was a local farmer based at Seaforth, brother of General Duncan McKenzie , but most importantly for me, one of my grandfathers lifelong friends. Benjamin Adam Bland, who for many years worked for the two McKenzie brothers transport riding...

06 Dec Richmond – Beaulieu Estate

Posted at 14:37h in Uncategorized

Under, Natal Farms, in the Gallery you are able to find more images of this old Estate which was settled by Yorkshireman William Nicholson, and his wife Fanny in the 1850's as part of the Byrne settlement program. The Victorians didn't mess around and this...

30 Nov Fort Nottingham – Lions Bush Farm

Posted at 08:23h in Uncategorized

Leeuw Bosch was originally owned by a Voortrekker farmer, Johannes Maritz a close relative of Voortrekker, Gert Maritz and then by Duncan McKenzie's and more recently the Brown family. (See Gallery - Natal Farms - Fort Nottingham - Lions Bush for more images). However its the...

27 Nov Lions Bush Private Cemetery

Posted at 14:23h in Uncategorized

This Cemetery on Lions Bush Farm has the graves of some of the persons who shaped the history of Natal and KZN. My thanks to Chris Brown, the owner of the farm who allowed me to photograph the graves. The grave of Duncan McKenzie, born Scotland...

27 Nov Paton Country Rail and Aloe Festival

Posted at 10:41h in Uncategorized

One of the special events on the KZN tourist calendar has to be the Creighton Aloe festival, and steam train trip, usually in July which coincides with the unequaled display of Aloes.It has everything for the boys, (steam train) , and families, and also the...

25 Nov Empangweni Mission 1863 – Moorleigh

Posted at 15:54h in Uncategorized

I have a strange fascination for the declining fortunes of the structures of the past - a fascination a little akin to that of a moths attraction to light. Empangweni Mission is a case in point. The Mission Press (1909), St Johanneskirche (1908), and Gnadenkirche...